WITH three children to look after, and a full-time job involving international travel, Billie Bachra had very little time for volunteering.
Even so, she helped with a local scout group, hosted Macmillan coffee mornings, and became a volunteer trainer at the 2012 Olympic games.
“It was very interesting and fulfilling,” she says.
Retiring at 60, she took the chance to do what she really wanted, to travel – so looked for flexible volunteering roles.
“I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a volunteer manager for Raleigh International in Tanzania, looking after international volunteers between the ages of 17-24 for three months,” she says, “with the added treat of two weeks afterwards in Zanzibar.”
Following the pandemic, Billie set up a repair café in Spencers Wood, and helped and advised others in the borough to do the same.
“We are lucky enough to have six repair cafes now, all supporting each other,” she said.
And keen to encourage young people to recycle, reuse and repair, she came up with the idea of a ‘build your own birdbox’ project. Using unwanted wood, it teaches children practical skills while at the same time helping the environment.
This project expanded and grew, and has evolved into what is now the Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield.
“In the Sikh religion there is a concept of ‘seva’, which means serving others,” she says.
“Our project can be hard work at times, but it’s very exciting and uplifting to see it grow, and to watch the enthusiasm of the team.”
For information, visit: spencerswoodrepaircafe.co.uk
